Reading mantras in Sanskrit, the ancient language can be intimidating. The great news is you don’t have to memorize a sonnet-length mantra to achieve maximum positive results…

Even single-word mantras—like Om—can be pretty powerful. A mantra unites sound, body, and mind in a deeply philosophical experience.

Pick a word, phrase, or invocation and chant it in a way that works for you: loudly, softly, or even internally. To reap the most benefits, shorter mantras should be chanted 108 times and longer mantras can be repeated up to three times per day. Find time in your day even if only a few minutes to focus your attention on the sound of Mantras, and watch the magic happen!

1. Mantra: Om  

Translation: It is the source, vibration and consciousness of the entire universe.

2. Mantra: Sarvesham svastir bhavatu  sarvesham shantir bhavatu  sarvesham purnam bhavatu  sarvesham mangalam bhavatu 

Translation: May there be well-being for all, May there be peace for all. May there be wholeness for all, May there be happiness for all.

3. Mantra: Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ 

Translation: Om Peace Peace Peace

4. Mantra: Om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur varenyam  bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

Translation: Earth, Heaven, the Whole Between. The excellent divine power of the Sun. May we contemplate the radiance of that God, May this inspire our understanding.

5. Mantra: Svasti prajabhyah paripalayantam nyayena margena mahim mahishah | gobrahmanebhyah shubham astu nityam lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu

Translation: May the rulers of the earth protect the well-being of the people, With justice, by means of the right path. May there always be good fortune for all living beings. May all the inhabitants of the world be full of happiness.

6. Mantra: Om saha nav avatu saha nau bhunaktu saha viryam karavavahai tejasvi navadhitam astu ma vidvishavahai Om shanti shanti shanti 

Translation: May we together be protected, May we together be nourished. May we work together with vigor, May our study be illuminating. May we be free from discord. Om Peace, Peace, Peace!

7. Mantra: Asato ma sad gamaya | tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | mrityor ma amritam gamaya 

Translation: From the unreal to the Real, lead me. From darkness to Light, lead me. From death to Immortality, lead me.

8. Mantra: Purnam adah purnam idam purnat purnam udachyate | purnasya purnam adaya purnam evavashishyate 

Translation: That is Whole. This is Whole. The Whole arises from the Whole. Having taken the Whole from the Whole,Only the Whole remains.

9. Mantra: Sat Nam 

Translation: Truth is my name.

10. Mantra: Ong Namo Guru Dav Namo 

Translation: I bow to the creative energy of the infinite.I bow to the Divine channel of wisdom.

11. Mantra: Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung 

Translation: Sun, Moon, Earth, Infinity, All that is in infinity, I am Thee.

12. Mantra: Neti-Neti 

Translation: Not this, not this.

13. Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya 

Translation: I bow to Shiva, the supreme deity of transformation who represents the truest, highest self.

14. Mantra: Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Translation: May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

15. Mantra: Shanti Mantra Om Saha Naavavatu Saha Nau Bhunaktu Saha Veeryam Karavaavahai Tejasvi Aavadheetamastu Maa Vidvishaavahai Om 

Translation: May the Lord protect and bless us. May he nourish us, giving us strength to work together for the good of humanity. May our learning be brilliant and purposeful. May we never turn against one another.

16. Mantra: Om Gum Ganapatayei Namah 

Translation: I bow to the elephant-faced deity [Ganesh] who is capable of removing all obstacles. I pray for blessings and protection.